Quick Answer
September and October are the best times to visit San Francisco - warm, clear, and at their most livable. The city’s notorious summer fog thins dramatically by mid-September, revealing the skyline and bridges locals see year-round. For a full rundown of what to see, visit our San Francisco city guide. Hotel rates are strong year-round; check current availability and book early for fall.
Season Overview
| Month | Avg Temp | Rainfall | Crowds | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 11°C | High | Low | Low |
| February | 12°C | High | Low | Low |
| March | 13°C | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| April | 14°C | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| May | 15°C | Low | Medium-High | Medium |
| June | 16°C | Very Low | High | High |
| July | 17°C | Very Low | Very High | Very High |
| August | 17°C | Very Low | Very High | Very High |
| September | 19°C | Very Low | High | High |
| October | 18°C | Low | Medium-High | Medium-High |
| November | 14°C | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| December | 11°C | High | Low | Low |
Peak Season: June–August
San Francisco draws its largest crowds in summer, partly because it is one of the most famous cities in the world and partly because school holidays drive tourism regardless of weather. The reality is that June, July, and August are frequently foggy and cool. Karl the Fog - the marine layer that rolls in from the Pacific - can keep the Golden Gate Bridge and the Embarcadero at 13–15°C while neighborhoods like the Mission and the Castro, a few miles inland, see temperatures 5–6°C warmer.
Alcatraz tickets sell out weeks in advance during summer. Hotel rates peak, averaging from approximately $250–$400 per night in central neighborhoods as of 2026. Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39 are densely crowded. That said, the fog has its own atmosphere: seeing the top half of the Golden Gate Bridge disappear into cloud is a uniquely SF experience.
Shoulder Season: April–May and September–November
April and May are pleasant shoulder months. Fog is less persistent, temperatures reach 14–16°C, and the hills and parks are green from winter rain. The San Francisco International Film Festival runs in April. Cherry blossoms in the Japanese Tea Garden typically peak in late March or early April.
September is the standout month of the year. The fog retreats, temperatures climb to 19–22°C - warm by SF standards - and the city feels genuinely celebratory. Hardly any rain falls. October maintains similar conditions with the addition of fall colors in Golden Gate Park. Hardly any American city offers such a dramatic contrast between its foggy summer and its clear, warm fall.
Off Season: December–February
Winter is wet. December through February accounts for most of San Francisco’s annual 50cm of rainfall, though it rarely falls as sustained heavy rain - more typically as grey, drizzly days with occasional heavier spells. Temperatures stay mild at 10–13°C. The city does not slow down: the restaurant scene, museums, and the tech-driven events calendar operate year-round. Hotel rates are at annual lows, and flights from most US cities are cheapest in January and February.
Month-by-Month Guide
| Month | Weather | Crowds | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 11°C, rainy | Low | Low | Restaurant week, post-holiday calm |
| February | 12°C, rainy | Low | Low | Lunar New Year parade, Chinatown |
| March | 13°C, variable | Medium | Medium | Cherry blossoms, St. Patrick’s Day |
| April | 14°C, brightening | Medium | Medium | SF International Film Festival |
| May | 15°C, mild | Medium-High | Medium | Bay to Breakers race |
| June | 16°C, foggy | High | High | Pride Month, Haight-Ashbury events |
| July | 17°C, foggy | Very High | Very High | 4th of July, Outside Lands prep |
| August | 17°C, foggy | Very High | Very High | Outside Lands music festival |
| September | 19°C, clear | High | High | Fleet Week, best weather |
| October | 18°C, warm and clear | Medium-High | Medium-High | Hardly Strictly Bluegrass (free) |
| November | 14°C, cooling | Medium | Medium | Dia de los Muertos in the Mission |
| December | 11°C, rainy | Low | Low | Holiday events, tree lighting |
Key Events and Festivals
- SF International Film Festival - April, one of the oldest film festivals in the Americas
- Bay to Breakers - May, 7.5-mile race/costume parade from the Bay to Ocean Beach
- Outside Lands - August, Golden Gate Park, major music and food festival
- Fleet Week - October, Blue Angels air show over the bay, free viewing
- Hardly Strictly Bluegrass - October, Golden Gate Park, three-day free festival
- Lunar New Year Parade - February, Chinatown, one of the largest outside Asia
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